Tottenham’s long-term target nearing Santos switch

The 24-year-old Brazil international has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane ever since Harry Redknapp was in charge but a deal has never materialised, with various bids being rejected over the years.

And Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas looked to have ended the club’s pursuit of the Internacional hit-man in the summer when he signed Roberto Soldado for £26million in the summer.

But with Soldado failing to live-up to his price-tag so far this season, Villas-Boas was expected to try one last time to bring Damiao to the Premier League in the January transfer window in order to bolster his attacking options.

However, Globe Esporte have recently claimed that Santos have identified Damiao as the perfect replacement for Neymar, who moved to Barcelona in the summer, and agreed a three-year deal with the player over the weekend.

Whats more, reports in Brazil claim that Internacional are demanding just £2.5million and a player in exchange for the striker who was valued at £20million throughout the summer.

It will be a bitter blow for Tottenham to see a player they have tried so desperately sign for a number of seasons slip through their fingers at such a small fee, particularly after having bids in the region of £15million turned down in the past.

The player believed to be heading in the other direction is Brazil midfielder Arouca.